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Copycat Starbucks Iced Sugar Cookie Latte: Best Budget-Friendly Recipe

Copycat Starbucks Iced Sugar Cookie Latte - featured image

This copycat Starbucks Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte is a budget-friendly, quick, and easy recipe that tastes just like the real thing. Made with simple ingredients, it’s a crowd-pleaser that saves you money and time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240ml) water
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) unsweetened vanilla almond milk per serving
  • 2 shots or 1/2 cup (120ml) espresso or strong brewed coffee per serving
  • Ice as needed

Instructions

  1. Make the Sugar Cookie Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Place over medium heat and stir occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved (about 3-4 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool for 2 minutes. Stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract. Pour into a glass jar and let cool completely before sealing. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
  2. Brew Your Coffee: While the syrup cools, brew your espresso or strong coffee. For a French press, use 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds per 1/2 cup of water and steep for 4 minutes. For a moka pot, fill the basket with fine-ground coffee and brew according to instructions. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Fill Your Glass with Ice: Grab a tall glass and fill it with about 1 cup of ice cubes.
  4. Add the Syrup: Pour 2 tablespoons of the sugar cookie syrup over the ice. Adjust to taste (up to 3 tablespoons for a sweeter latte).
  5. Pour in the Almond Milk: Add 1 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk to the glass. Stir briefly to mix the syrup into the milk.
  6. Add the Coffee: Slowly pour 1/2 cup of strong coffee over the almond milk. For nice layers, pour over the back of a spoon.
  7. Stir and Taste: Stir everything together with a spoon or straw. Taste and adjust sweetness or coffee strength as desired.
  8. Serve Immediately: Enjoy the latte right away while the ice is still cold and the coffee is fresh.

Notes

For a nut-free version, use oat milk instead of almond milk. For a caffeine-free version, use decaf espresso or warm milk. The syrup can be made in a double batch and stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If the latte tastes too watery, use stronger coffee or less ice. If too sweet, reduce syrup to 1 tablespoon. Do not boil the syrup; just heat until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool completely before using to avoid melting the ice.

Nutrition

Keywords: copycat Starbucks, iced sugar cookie latte, sugar cookie latte, almond milk latte, budget-friendly coffee, homemade latte, iced coffee